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2 Kings 11:12
And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, andgave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.

a copy.

out of that which

Deuteronomy 31:9,25,26
And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel…

2 Kings 22:8
And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

2 Chronicles 34:15
And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.

he must write for himself a copy of this instruction
The king was required to personally transcribe the law, emphasizing the importance of God's Word in guiding his reign. This act was meant to ensure that the king was intimately familiar with the law, promoting humility and obedience. The instruction refers to the Torah, particularly the book of Deuteronomy, which contains the covenantal laws given to Israel. This practice underscores the principle that leaders are not above the law but are subject to it, a concept that is echoed in the New Testament where Jesus fulfills the law (Matthew 5:17).

on a scroll
The use of a scroll indicates the ancient method of recording and preserving important texts. Scrolls were made from papyrus or parchment and were the primary means of documentation in the ancient Near East. This method of writing was labor-intensive, which further underscores the seriousness of the king's task. The scroll as a medium also connects to the prophetic imagery in Revelation, where scrolls are used to convey divine revelation (Revelation 5:1).

in the presence of the Levitical priests
The involvement of the Levitical priests highlights the religious and ceremonial aspect of this task. The priests served as custodians of the law and were responsible for teaching it to the people (Leviticus 10:11). Their presence ensured the accuracy and authenticity of the transcription, reinforcing the sacredness of the law. This requirement also points to the role of the priesthood in mediating between God and the people, a role ultimately fulfilled by Jesus Christ, our high priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Deuteronomy 17:18 begins, “When he is seated on his royal throne….” God addresses the moment a king takes his seat of power—right at the start of his reign.

• The throne is a reminder that all earthly authority is delegated by the Lord (1 Chronicles 29:11-12;Psalm 2:6-8).

• By giving this charge as soon as the king sits, God makes it clear that no political agenda outranks divine instruction (1 Kings 2:3).

• The timing also underscores accountability: every royal decision will flow from how seriously he treats God’s Word (Proverbs 16:12).

The command is intensely personal: “he must write for himself….”

• Not a scribe, not a court official—the king must put pen to parchment. Writing engraves truth on both mind and heart (Deuteronomy 6:6-9;Psalm 119:11).

• Personal copying breaks any notion that the king is above the law; he is under it (Deuteronomy 17:19-20;Isaiah 33:22).

• The act guards against second-hand religion. Joshua was told, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth” (Joshua 1:8); the king receives the same charge.

What he writes is “a copy of this instruction,” the Torah—God’s covenant law.

• The standard of righteousness for a nation is not popular opinion but revealed Scripture (Psalm 19:7-11;2 Timothy 3:16-17).

• A “copy” means fidelity: no edits, no royal addenda (Deuteronomy 4:2;Galatians 1:8-9).

• Kings who rediscovered and obeyed the Law sparked revival (2 Kings 22:8-13;2 Chronicles 34:29-33).

The instruction is to be written “on a scroll.”

• A scroll provides permanence and portability; the Word travels with the king wherever he goes (Deuteronomy 31:24-26).

• God’s words have always been preserved in writing—stone tablets (Exodus 31:18), scrolls (Jeremiah 36:2), and, ultimately, Scripture itself (Revelation 5:1).

• A tangible document counters the temptation to let truth fade from memory (Psalm 102:18).

Finally, it must happen “in the presence of the Levitical priests.”

• The priests serve as witnesses, ensuring an accurate text (Deuteronomy 31:9-13).

• Their presence adds spiritual accountability; they are guardians of doctrine (Malachi 2:7).

• This partnership models checks and balances: civic leaders and spiritual leaders together under God (2 Chronicles 19:8-11).

Deuteronomy 17:18 orders every Israelite king to begin his reign by hand-copying the Torah under priestly supervision. The verse teaches that (1) a ruler’s authority is borrowed from God, (2) personal engagement with Scripture is non-negotiable, (3) the Law—not human preference—sets the standard, (4) God’s Word must be preserved in accessible form, and (5) spiritual accountability safeguards both accuracy and obedience. A king who starts here will rule with justice, humility, and covenant faithfulness; a king who ignores it will drift into tyranny and idolatry.

There are traces of this direction (1) in the coronation of Joash (2Chronicles 23:11, "they gave him the testimony;" (2) in the reign of Jehoshaphat, who had the Book of the Law taught to his people (2Chronicles 17:9); and (3) in the delivery of the book when discovered in the Temple to Josiah (2Chronicles 34:18), and in the effect of the perusal of it upon that king. But it is singular that we do not hear of the Book of the Law in connection with David and Solomon. Possibly, as David was a prophet himself, and not only a king, it may be thought unnecessary to make special mention of his study of the law. In many things he acted upon the direct commands of God to himself or to his seers.

We must not forget that the true king of Israel is He whose special mission it was "to fulfil the law and the prophets." "Lo, I come,in the volume of the book it is written ofme, I delight to do thy will, O my God:yea, thy law is within my heart."